Newsletter Nov 2014

Dear FOS&RC Members, We hope you find this short Autumn newsletter of interest! It's a been a while since our last one, however we want to maintain at least a quarterly edition to keep our members updated on what has happened or might happen in the future! Remember if you have anything at all that you think members might find of interest please just email it in to fairoaksquash@gmail.com It can even be things that members are doing outside of the club walls as well of course!

Team News

Men's 1st Team battle on in the Premiership!

It has certainly been mixed fortunes for our 1st team during the early stages of our return to top flight county squash. Hopefully you will have seen the match reports from our secret sports correspondent Paula Crossbill. Many of our games so far have been without recent signings which has made life difficult, however despite that we have only narrowly lost games where they could have easily have gone either way. Our match against Winchester 1 showed just how much difference the addition of Angus Gillams and Ben Windle can make where we won quite convincingly 4-1. The support from our members has been excellent and long may this continue. Fixtures will be advertised by email and posters around the club so please attend where you can. It really makes a difference to the players.

There is some video of the games v Winchester HERE * *Provided by kind permission of Vantage Point Products.

Fair Oak 3 have also had good start to the season with 3 wins out of 4 matches. Lets keep that up! Click HERE

Fair Oak Vets 1 are thrashing their opponents so far in league 1 by winning easily all 4 games to date. Vets Premier here we come!? Click HERE for results

Fair Oak Vets 2& 3 have both had a promising start to the season as well. Overall we are looking a lot more healthy in the 'pensioners' department! We shouldn't be complacent though as most of us know that once you reach 45 then any part of your body can snap off at any time and often does! Just ask Chris Ash.

Junior Section

Update from Brian Ward

This season has got off to the great start with many of the juniors now sporting their brand new Fair Oak T shirts and Hoodies and these have drawn many comments from other clubs saying how smart they look. The first junior team matches have been played and seen some good matches with our juniors playing much older opposition but still getting some good results.

About 13 of our Juniors took part in the first round of the Hampshire Grand Prix events including two of our youngest, Florence Kersley and Emily Churcher, who have both only been playing for a few months. Again the new look purple shirts made them stand out and Fair Oak had the biggest group of players at the event. Alex Broadbridge from Fair Oak won the Connors Cup last season so we are looking for further success this season.

This season has seen the ranking of three juniors in the Adult leagues so we are seeing the progression from Junior Squash to Senior levels and with many coming through this should continue for the foreseeable future. We also have our juniors representing Hampshire at County Junior level and three of our coaches are actively involved with County junior coaching.

On Wednesday 29th October a free junior coaching and fun day is being held, with our own Kyle Finch playing some of our junior members and offering some tips on improving their game. Kyle is keen to offer some time helping our juniors in return for the support that our club has given him. This event is full, however another is being planned.

Bar News

Our new bar isn't so new now having been re-opened 17 months since the re-furb! It is open most nights now with our regular bar staff using it after playing, plus match nights it will be open all night. It continues to generate important additional income which ultimately will help to keep our subs and light fees as low as possible. Please support it where you can.

We have a new coffee machine which is available for use any time of the day. Simple to use Krupps pod system which is only 75p a cup. We also have a great selection of different beers including for Halloween there will be some Hobgoblin Gold in stock! Very nice.

Club Nights in November / December

Due to the Stave Hayball Finals being played on Friday 7th November, the Senior Club Night will be the following Friday on the 14th November starting at 7.20.

Following that the dates will be;

Friday 21st November - Family Club Night - 6.40 start

Friday 5th December - Senior Club Night - 7.20 start

Friday 19th December - Family Club Night - 6.40 Start*

(* Plus Xmas party after play finishes)

Keep Bug Free!

If you have not thought about a flu jab for this Winter then please consider it. It only costs £7 to get it done at Tesco's and Fair Oak Pharmacy can do it as well. It could be the best few quid you have spent in 2014!

80693322 Give em a call.

This was Stew Chandler last year when he got Flu. You wouldn't want to look like this would you?

World Deaf Champ!

Congratulations to Shane Pletts for his success in the recent World Deaf Squash Championships in Holland. Shane was part of the 3 man GB team that took the team title and was also one half of the doubles event winning team. Shane has maintained his 8th World ranking following this event. Well done. A video about the event is found HERE

Shane didn't win the prize for the most ridiculous squash shoes!

The Big Quiz Returns!

Yes it's back. Saturday 6th December. Festive theme of course being in the 12th month. Teams of 2 to 4 can enter. Previous quiz nights have been a great success. To enter just email fairoaksquash@gmail.com or put your name on the board at the club. Cheap bar and nibbles thrown in!

Coaching Qualification

Well done to Paul Finch who has just successfully completed his England Squash Level 3 coaching qualification. With Brian Ward there will be two coach members offering coaching to this level. Our coaching page can be found HERE

Racketball Teams

The Winter Racketball season is also under way, but with only a few games having been played to date it's far too early to make any predictions. We have 3 teams in the Hampshire leagues where the fixtures play both singles and doubles. If you ever walk into the club to see far too many people on court getting in each other's way, that will probably be a doubles match being played. The smell of burning food from the kitchen will confirm this as the games often go on a lot longer than they should do.

Steve Hayball Championship

Games are being played in all the group games which will conclude with a finals night on Friday 7th November. This has been the biggest entry yet for this event which shows just how popular Racketball is at Fair Oak. This will be a great night of big ball so please drop in for a drink and of course have a good old shout at some of the players. This event is named after our old friend, fellow member and keen racketballer. He would be proud to see the participation in this annual event. His son Tom will be attending to present the prizes.

The Gym - Your Views?

What are your views about the gym?

The Committee will be discussing the future of the gym in the light of any possible success in a lottery funding bid, or even of we are unsuccessful in getting a grant, what we need to do to that area and how much money should be spent on it. A survey 2 years ago suggested that only 5% of members regularly used the equipment that was there then when it was all working. Because of the uncertainty around the gym we have not been spending members money on fixing it to date. If you have any views or comments on this then please let us know and it will be aired when discussed. Email fairoaksquash@gmail.comClub Repairs

Ant Whelan is trying to keep on top of the repair jobs that need doing around the club of which there are quite a few. We have a long list of things that will need some repairs being made some sooner than later. The front wall on Court 3 is going to need to be replaced probably. We have patched it up and will continue to do so until the Summer when the least disruption is caused. Remember if you spot anything that needs fixing just email us or text any of the committee. P.S. We now a door bell that you can hear upstairs and downstairs!

PSL Squash

A few of our members have been enjoying watching some top squash at PSL fixtures being played at Winchester Squash Club. If you fancy a night out to watch World ranked players in action, please speak to Paul Finch who can access discounted tickets. Click HERE for a taster. paullfinch@hotmail.co.uk

We will be arranging an alternative games night early in 2015. Teams of 3 will be invited to compete in different sports on the 3 courts and in the bar. Watch out for date and details.

Another Fair Oak v Wykham Challenge is in the pipeline as well. After the success of the last event we are keen to repeat this evening of squash between our two clubs.

Any idea of a good social event? Just let us know!

Anyone for a Padel?

How about if we ask the Council if we can build a Padel Court next to our club? It's a mix of squash and tennis and looks an excellent game. I am sure they won't mind.(always good to be optimistic!) The Parish Hall can lose some of that car park surely? Have a watch HEREafter advert

Commentary by Paul Whitehouse from The Fast Show. :-)

Anyone recognise their own legs? Photo taken at our Exhibition Night where crammed galleries enjoyed some excellent squash being played. The final match between Angus Gillams and Kyle Finch was a superb display.